Student Life
Student Budget in Cameroon: How Much to Plan Per Month?
Housing, food, transport, books: a realistic budget for a student in Yaoundé or Douala.
Skolasup TeamApril 5, 20261 min read
Planning your student budget is essential to enjoy university life with peace of mind. Here's a realistic estimate based on prices in Yaoundé and Douala.
Housing: Item #1
By far the largest expense.
- Student dormitory (mini-cité): 25,000 – 35,000 FCFA/month
- Furnished studio: 50,000 – 100,000 FCFA/month
- 2-bedroom flatshare: 30,000 – 60,000 FCFA/month per person
Favor neighborhoods close to campuses: Ngoa-Ekellé (UYI), Bonamoussadi (Douala), Damas (UYII).
Food
- Breakfast: ~500 FCFA
- Meal in a campus mbom: 500 – 1,500 FCFA
- Home cooking: 25,000 – 40,000 FCFA/month
Monthly food total: 40,000 to 60,000 FCFA
Transport
Bush taxis and urban motorbikes (bend-skin) cost 200 – 500 FCFA per ride. Budget 15,000 – 30,000 FCFA/month depending on distance.
Internet and Phone
MTN, Orange, or Camtel plans range from 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA/month for student use.
Tuition
- State university: ~50,000 FCFA/year (enrollment fees)
- Private IPES: 300,000 – 1,500,000 FCFA/year
- Private grandes écoles: 800,000 – 2,500,000 FCFA/year
Monthly Summary
| Item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 25,000 | 100,000 |
| Food | 40,000 | 60,000 |
| Transport | 15,000 | 30,000 |
| Internet | 5,000 | 15,000 |
| Leisure | 10,000 | 30,000 |
| Total | 95,000 | 235,000 |
Saving Tips
- Cook yourself
- Buy used books (Mokolo market)
- Share resources: flatshare, shared WiFi
- Aim for MINESUP grants and institution scholarships
With a bit of organization, student life in Cameroon stays affordable. Have a great term!